“Master, that thing Senior Martial Brother struck into your body that day—has it been removed? Is everything alright?” She asked about her greatest concern, the most important matter.
Fang Zhun smiled. “What do you think? Do I look like something’s wrong?”
That’s exactly why I’m asking! Hu Sha said urgently, “Master, how was it removed…”
Before finishing her words, he had already grasped her hands, gently cupping them like two orchid blossoms, examining them carefully before his eyes, turning them over and over.
“I said everything’s fine, so everything’s fine.” He spoke lightly, then suddenly smiled with raised brows. “Let me read your fortune—see what your future fate holds.”
Hu Sha instinctively tried to pull her hands back. She dared not have any skin contact with him. That sensation felt like it would burn her, burn this already filthy and shattered self.
He gripped firmly, not allowing her the slightest retreat. After a moment, he suddenly hummed softly, bringing her hands together and intertwining all ten fingers tightly, smiling. “I can see you have the appearance of longevity—a life of peace and joy, unaware of the passing years.”
Hu Sha forced a smile, but that smile was full of bitterness.
Just as she was about to imperceptibly withdraw her hands again, he suddenly applied force, pulling her down from the high platform while smiling. “Let’s go. Little Darling hasn’t bathed in ages and smells terrible. The weather’s good today—let’s take it to the lakeside for a walk.”
Because the weather was good, many disciples were bathing their spirit beasts by the lake. Now that the rumors throughout Qingyuan had been dispelled, when the disciples saw Fang Zhun and her, they no longer whispered privately. However, their gazes were inevitably different. After paying their respects, they would secretly hide behind to watch the two people’s clasped hands.
Everyone knew that the propriety between master and disciple was extremely important. Transgressing this boundary was incest. Moreover, there was the distinction between immortal and mortal—crossing this line further would be the grave sin of blasphemy.
What these two were doing could practically be considered criminal, yet peculiarly, Grand Master issued no pronouncement, as if tacitly approving. Even the masters of the Fang generation had strictly ordered disciples not to discuss this matter, which was quite perplexing.
When grooming Little Darling on the shore, several female disciples walked back and forth, stealing glances many times. Not only Hu Sha, but even Little Darling felt uncomfortable being stared at and turned to glare fiercely at them. Only Fang Zhun remained composed and calm, grooming Little Darling into a complete fur ball.
“These women are really annoying!” Little Darling couldn’t hold back and cursed.
Hu Sha patted its head, signaling it to calm down.
Those female disciples excitedly ran off in the distance, chattering as they ran. “Actually, they’re quite well-matched! Who says master and disciple can’t be together? What old-fashioned nonsense! In broad daylight, they still dare to be together—now that’s true love!”
The two people and one beast on this side all had sensitive hearing. Upon hearing such remarks, they didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Still, it was better than being cursed as shameless.
Fang Zhun smiled lightly. Hu Sha kept her head lowered, so her expression couldn’t be seen.
After a while, it was time for ordinary disciples to enter meditation, and the lakeside quickly returned to its usual quiet desolation.
Fang Zhun plucked a red flower from the shore, placing it before his nose to smell lightly. His eyes seemed closed but not closed, lazy, when he suddenly said in a low voice, “Hu Sha, sing me a song. The ones you used to sing in the apricot blossom forest—they were very pleasant.”
Hu Sha leaned stiffly against a tree, instinctively wanting to refuse, yet couldn’t bear to. She could only ask in a low voice, “Which one would Master like to hear?”
Fang Zhun seemed almost asleep, his breathing faint. After a long while, he finally said, “Anything… It’s just a pity I didn’t bring Silver Mist Tea out. Suddenly I really want some.”
“I’ll go back to Zhiyan Studio to get it.” Hu Sha breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stood up, suddenly feeling him gently tug her hem. He opened his eyes, smiling. “Come back quickly. I still want to hear you sing.”
Her face felt somewhat feverish. She nodded bashfully and walked away rapidly.
The sunlight was excellent. Those apricot trees at Zhiyan Studio that had been slow to bloom seemed to have sprouted flower buds—each one pink and tender, making one want to touch them. Surely in a few more days, they could see the familiar beautiful sight of red clouds spreading and pink mist swaying.
The door to Fang Zhun’s thatched cottage remained open—he never had the good habit of closing doors.
Hu Sha gazed at the three large characters “Soul-Stealing Hall” hanging on the door, feeling warmth flow through her heart with a slight sourness. She too had once possessed happiness and sweetness. She went directly inside to get the tea leaves when she suddenly saw two people standing in the room—it was Fang Ning and Fang Ling, whom she wasn’t very familiar with. They were Fang Zhun’s senior martial brothers.
She couldn’t help but freeze, subconsciously paying respects. “This disciple greets the two Martial Uncles…”
Fang Ning had an impatient temperament. Before she finished her greeting, he called out, “Where’s Fang Zhun?”
Hu Sha was startled. “Master is at… Three-Eye Peak…”
“This child doesn’t want his life! Still running around everywhere!” Fang Ning cursed anxiously and turned to leave.
Fang Ling was behind him, holding a lacquered wooden food box in his hand, sighing. “Senior Martial Brother, don’t be hasty. The medicine is still here…”
Fang Ning snatched the food box and was about to fly away on clouds when he suddenly felt his sleeve tugged. Hu Sha said in a low voice, “Martial Uncle, what medicine? Is it to treat Master’s cough?”
“Cough your mother’s ghost!” Upon seeing her, Fang Ning erupted in fury. A dignified immortal actually let loose with profanity, cursing until Hu Sha froze again.
Fang Ling shook his head and sighed. “Senior Martial Brother, don’t misdirect your anger. It has nothing to do with her.”
Fang Ning said angrily, “How is it unrelated? All these troubles only started after this girl entered our door! For her sake, how many foolish things has Fang Zhun done? His health has always been poor… Master originally strictly forbade him from taking disciples. Now look what’s happened—he took three disciples, and none of them are good! If he dies later, the first thing I’ll do is slaughter that beast Feng Di!”
Hu Sha’s heart turned cold with terror. She hurriedly grabbed Fang Ling’s sleeve, asking repeatedly, “Martial Uncle! What exactly happened?”
Fang Ling sighed deeply, glanced at Fang Ning who still wore an angry expression, then said softly, “That Yaotian Ring that Feng Di struck into Fang Zhun’s body that day is a demonic seal. It attaches to the heart, absorbing blood daily until the person’s blood is completely drained. We tried to remove it through spellcasting, but discovered it was a Shared Destruction seal. If removed, Fang Zhun couldn’t survive either. Only Carefree Grass from Mount Xiaoyao in Xuanzhou can remove this seal. Master personally made a trip to Mount Xiaoyao, but unfortunately, Qingling Zhenjun had already uprooted all the Carefree Grass and burned it to nothing with fire. Carefree Grass is also a rare spiritual medicine in heaven and earth. For a personal grudge, Qingling Zhenjun actually didn’t hesitate to completely destroy this spiritual medicine… In his anger, Master severely injured Qingling Zhenjun, but was also wounded himself. These past few days, he’s been frequently coughing up blood…”
At this point, he shook his head, saying sorrowfully, “Actually we know—it’s because of the anxiety in his heart. That seal in Fang Zhun’s body cannot be removed. He doesn’t have many days left. Sending these medicinal soups is just delaying time, doubling his suffering…”
Before he finished speaking, Fang Ning had already shouted irritably, “That’s why I said long ago—I’ll make a trip to Juku Island and steal the Soul-Returning Incense! Even if he dies a thousand or hundred times, there’s no need to worry!”
“That’s an item guarded by celestial deities. Stealing it would be a grave sin. Moreover, even if we used the Soul-Returning Incense, that seal would still be there. Wouldn’t that just prolong his days of suffering? That thing absorbs blood daily—would the taste be pleasant?”
The two were arguing endlessly when they suddenly heard a “ding.” A tea canister fell to the ground, rolling far away, tea leaves scattering everywhere.
Hu Sha’s face was deathly pale. She stared blankly at the tea leaves on the ground, hurriedly squatting down to gather them. After grabbing two handfuls, her wrists couldn’t help but tremble. She couldn’t hold onto anything—the tea leaves fell through her fingers again.
The two men immediately stopped talking. Fang Ning glared at her, reluctantly tossing the food box on the table before turning and leaving.
Fang Ling walked to her side, watching fixedly as she frantically grabbed at tea leaves, dropping two handfuls for every one grabbed. After a while, he said softly, “You are Fang Zhun’s beloved. Before he departs, the one he most wants to see must be you. This medicine… you deliver it to him. Actually, whether he drinks it or not doesn’t matter anymore… Master also means this—he hopes you can accompany him, let him live… more happily.”
His voice choked slightly. He stood for another moment before slowly walking out.
Hu Sha slowly stood up, staring blankly at that lacquered wooden food box.
The room was utterly silent. Outside the window, spring orioles chirped cheerfully—chirp chirp chirp—in waves. The sunlight was so good, the apricot blossoms were about to bloom, yet the entire spring died in her eyes.
Fang Zhun lay quietly by the lakeside in a flower grove, red blossoms everywhere above his head and around him, making his face white as snow and hair black as ink.
He still held a red flower in his hand, lazily reclining with it beside his face, when he suddenly heard a light footstep. Without opening his eyes, he smiled lightly. “So slow in coming—the flowers have all withered.”
Hu Sha gently sat behind him. He naturally pillowed his head on her lap, his satin-like long hair spread across the ground. She no longer avoided or resisted, only gently combing through that head of black hair with her hand.
This sudden change in attitude produced no reaction or questions from Fang Zhun. He was a person with a glass intestine—he knew everything.
“Where’s the tea?” he asked.
Hu Sha immediately took out freshly brewed Silver Mist Tea from the food box, saying gently, “It’s very hot. This is my first time making tea for you—I don’t know if it suits your taste.”
Fang Zhun took the porcelain cup and lightly sniffed it, then smiled. “Not bad—it has fragrance.” Then he took a sip and frowned, very critical. “The taste isn’t good. Looks like I need to teach you how to brew proper tea.”
Hu Sha lovingly combed his long hair through her fingers, saying softly, “Alright, then you must teach me well next time.”
Though he said it wasn’t good, he drank more than half the cup in one go. Finally, like a cat, he lay back on her lap, turning a red flower around and around, saying, “Hu Sha, sing. I want to hear you sing.”
She nodded and, parting her lips, sang softly, “Evening sun and cold crows, a stretch of sorrow; willow pond’s new green yet tender and mild. If eyes held no parting hatred, who’d believe the human world has white-haired grief…”
Mottled water light appeared on her face, drop by drop falling on her chest, soundless and noiseless.
Yet that voice was clear and melodious, like a little yellow oriole, carrying abundant moisture, winding past great masses of flame-like red flowers, past his snow-and-ice-like face, past the lake water with golden scales glinting in sunlight, as if it would never disperse.
The Water Glass Zither rested peacefully within her body. The Gold Lute and Fire Control Flute also sat by the bedside. Originally she’d planned to hand them to Ancestor Jinting, but he didn’t want them, only instructing her to keep them safe—probably to avoid suspicion.
Hu Sha changed into night-walking clothes, facing the mirror to cover her face with black cloth.
Candlelight flickered yellow, jumping in clusters on the table. The face in the bronze mirror was blurry, as if covered by gauze—only two lifeless, lusterless eyes could be seen clearly.
Eighteen Oriole quietly curled on her arm, motionless. Opening the small bundle at her waist, she checked through the contents inside, confirming she’d brought everything needed. She tied the bundle tightly at her waist and blew out the candle in one breath.
Dark moonless night, only dim gloom remained.
Hu Sha pushed open the window, glancing toward the thatched cottage—no lamplight, he must already be asleep.
Raising her hand to brace against the windowsill, just about to jump out, she suddenly seemed to remember something. Slowly she put her hand into her chest and drew out a half-worn purse she’d used for a long time.
The purse held not a single copper coin—flat and empty. Her finger hooked out a lock of jet-black long hair, soft and fine. Placing it in her palm, she gently caressed it for a long while, suddenly remembering that night five years ago at the bottom of Taoyuan Mountain’s cliff.
He was an immortal who’d lived three hundred years and could still live for a very long time to come. That very long time to come encompassed she knew not how many of her reincarnations. A mortal lifetime’s obsession, anger, love, and hatred—to him, was merely passing clouds.
Though she knew this, she still couldn’t help herself. Young girls were always like this—when they liked someone, they dared not admit it, burying their heads in the sand, occasionally hoping and expecting he might discover her goodness.
Dreams came true, yet everything was ultimately a bubble. How could Heaven be so unjust, not granting her half a measure of happiness?
Looking back at the bronze mirror again, in a trance it seemed two people stood inside. On some rainy night, she’d been soaking wet, completely lacking composure. He hadn’t cared at all, standing beside her, saying softly, “You will grow up, but Master will never age again. Yet sometimes, I feel that being able to age is also quite a nice thing.”
Actually, the meaning within those words was now self-evident in hindsight. Hatefully, she’d been so timid and fearful that day, never discovering it.
Now he would never age again—would never age. He would die very soon.
Hu Sha placed that coil of long hair against her lips and kissed it lightly, carefully returning it to the purse, pressing it close to her heart.
Taking a deep breath—she was setting out, going to Juku Island to find the Soul-Returning Incense guarded by the gods.
Jumping from the window, her figure petite and light, she swept soundlessly past the apricot blossom forest. The flowers would bloom soon. She must hurry, returning before the blossoms opened to drink wine and admire flowers with him again.
Running straight to the ice lake’s edge, just about to rise on clouds, she suddenly heard someone behind her call gently, “Hu Sha.”
She was so startled she nearly fell from the clouds. Looking back, she saw Fang Zhun standing not far away with loose hair, watching her. Feeling somewhat guilty, she hurried over. “Master… it’s so late, why aren’t you resting…”
Fang Zhun said gently, “What about you? So late—where are you going?”
“I…” She couldn’t help but stammer, fumbling for a long time. “I wanted to get some fresh air…”
Before finishing her words, he’d already pulled off the mask covering her face.
He held that black cloth with a half-smile. “Fresh air?”
Hu Sha said nothing.
Fang Zhun grasped her wrist, tucking that black cloth back into her sleeve, saying in a low voice, “Don’t go. Since time is already limited, we should cherish it more.”
Hu Sha’s whole body shook. She bit her lips hard to prevent tears from falling, saying tremulously, “I’m not afraid of punishment… as long as I can obtain the Soul-Returning Incense…”
Fang Zhun smiled, flicking her forehead with his finger. “Silly child, life and death are just that simple. Even if the Soul-Returning Incense can revive the dead, it still can’t eliminate that seal. Do you plan to go steal it again and again?”
She didn’t answer, but he knew her response. She truly would go steal it time after time, regardless of what punishment she received. From long ago, she’d always had such a stubborn temperament.
He sighed, tightly gripping both her hands. After a moment, he said, “Hu Sha, a mayfly’s life is only a few short hours, yet they also live quite happily.”
Hu Sha only felt sourness in her heart, truly unable to suppress it. She couldn’t help but hold him tightly, tears instantly soaking his shoulder.
“But you’re not a mayfly! Neither of us are mayflies!” Her voice shook as if about to shatter.
“In a mayfly’s eyes, we exist like celestial deities.” He smiled, stroking her head. “Compared to mayflies, our lives are infinitely long. However, compared to true celestial deities, aren’t we also like mayflies?”
No, not the same.
If everyone in the world were the same, living at dawn and dying at dusk, seeing it so lightly—how would there be partings in life and separations in death? Because the person in one’s heart must be special—loving him, admiring him, preferring to believe life is infinitely long, happiness lasting until heaven and earth grow old.
He was unique. Therefore, not the same.
Fang Zhun held her tightly, raising his hand to wipe her tears dry, saying softly, “Hu Sha, now let’s imagine we’re a pair of mayflies. A lifetime is merely sunrise to sunset. The sun is about to rise—will you still cry? Smile for me to see.”
She truly couldn’t smile, could only reluctantly curl the corners of her lips.
Fang Zhun made a sound of dismay, rubbing her face twice, creating many strange expressions, finally smiling as he kissed her forehead.
“Hu Sha, today I’m throwing all the paper dolls numbered one through nineteen here, giving them a day off. Let’s the two of us secretly go out and play, alright?”
His two eyes were exceptionally bright. Hu Sha felt she truly couldn’t shake her head, so she could only nod.
The blood in his body was growing less and less. At this point, he couldn’t even perform cloud-riding techniques anymore. Hu Sha took his arm, and the two stood on clouds.
Surroundings were still pitch-black, night not yet faded, cool wind repeatedly striking their bodies.
Hu Sha said softly, “Are you cold?”
He shook his head, placing his hand above his brow, looking up at the sky. “The dark clouds are nearly dispersed. Tomorrow should be good weather.”
Hu Sha gazed at the completely black firmament. As he’d said, the dark clouds gradually scattered, revealing a sky full of stars that seemed within reach. The four wilds suddenly brightened. A full moon revealed its outline from the zenith, moonlight pouring down, illuminating both their faces.
Hu Sha’s eyelashes still held tears, but the corners of her mouth had already smiled open.
“Let’s go,” she said.
Neither said where they were going, but both clearly knew what place.
When dawn was about to break, Hu Sha supported Fang Zhun as they descended into the peach blossom forest at Five-Color Stream in Yuanzhou.
Protected by earth energy, the magnificent peach blossoms bloomed in all four seasons without withering. The sky full of bewitching red made the scenery extraordinarily gorgeous. Fang Zhun leaned against that bluestone, turning his head to gaze at the five roaring and thundering waterfalls not far away, saying softly, “It’s been so long… since seeing this scenery.”
After speaking, he turned his head again, gazing into the distance. “I can see Soul-Stealing Hall—still the same as before.”
Hu Sha stood on tiptoe, concentrating for a long time. She could only see the pitch-black night in the distance that hadn’t yet brightened, yet she smiled in reply, “Yes, still the same as before. Want to go sit there for a while?”
“Let’s just stay here. The scenery is so beautiful.” He drew brush, ink, and silk handkerchief from his sleeve universe, raising his head to seriously direct her. “Go stand over there. Tilt your body slightly… yes, just like that. Don’t move.”
Hu Sha pinched a peach blossom, only feeling her neck was about to cramp from exhaustion. Unable to bear it, she asked softly, “Master, are you done yet?”
Fang Zhun smiled as he wielded his brush on the silk handkerchief, answering carelessly, “Wait a bit longer… be patient.”
Hu Sha grimaced. In her ear she suddenly heard him instruct again, “A little to the right—this way is very beautiful.”
Her heart couldn’t help but stir, remembering he’d also said this that day. She couldn’t help but raise her eyes to look at him. He was also gazing at her, his expression gentle, as if having a thousand words to say, yet in the end it only transformed into a smile like spring wind.
The rising sun gradually ascended. The water vapor at Five-Color Stream was hazy. Refracted by sunlight, it seemed countless rainbows encircled the scene.
Very beautiful.
Yet all this couldn’t compare to his single smile’s soul-stirring, spirit-seizing power.
Hu Sha watched blankly as he finished painting, tossed away his brush, and jumped down from the bluestone. Blankly she watched him unfurl the silk handkerchief—yet there was no person on it, only the lyrics to that “Partridge Sky” song she’d sung by the lakeside yesterday.
*Evening sun and cold crows, a stretch of sorrow; willow pond’s new green yet tender and mild. If eyes held no parting hatred, who’d believe the human world has white-haired grief…*
Her throat felt blocked by something, the pain severe, yet her face showed a smile as she said gently, “You… still remember this poem.”
Fang Zhun swept the hair dampened by dew behind her ear, smiling. “From now on, don’t sing such sorrowful tunes. Sing cheerful ones.”
Hu Sha lowered her head, eyelashes trembling faintly, nodding almost imperceptibly.
*Floral fragrance and wine aroma blend cleanly together.*
He somehow produced two more jars of good wine. With no cups available, they simply held the jars and drank.
This person was truly a wine bug, secretly burying wine everywhere. Wherever he went, he’d never lack something to drink.
Hu Sha drank half a jar straight down. Her chest felt like it was burning, yet not a trace of wine reached her face. Her throat felt bitter as churning seas, but her mind grew increasingly clear.
Her face was suddenly touched by him. “Hu Sha, are you drunk?”
She almost choked up. Hurriedly tossing aside the wine jar, she turned and lay on his lap, burying her face in the hem of his clothes, letting tears be silently absorbed away without his noticing.
“Mm… my head’s a bit dizzy,” she murmured the lie.
Fang Zhun embraced her shoulders, saying softly, “Lean on me. Sleep for a while.”
Hu Sha shook her head. “I won’t sleep… Master, let’s talk. What kind of person was Master as a child?”
Fang Zhun laughed once, tilting his head to think carefully. “Over three hundred years have passed—truly somewhat hard to remember. From what I recall, Master often scolded me. I definitely wasn’t an obedient good disciple. I also liked going down the mountain to drink wine and eat meat, causing him considerable worry.”
“When did you later become obedient?”
“Mm… probably after becoming a master myself.” He smiled again. “Facing a little kid who knows nothing, I truly feared doing some bad thing he might learn. Being a role model—that’s probably what it means.”
Hu Sha gazed quietly at him, unable to help asking, “Master… then are you afraid of doing some bad thing I might learn?”
Fang Zhun tilted his body, one hand supporting his chin propped on the bluestone, the free hand caressing her soft lips. His palm seemed to hold a ball of burning fire, yet his eyes were a clear spring visible to the bottom.
His voice was very soft, very gentle, like white clouds in the sky—yet thunder and lightning hid within the clouds.
“I’m afraid… I’m only afraid you’re not bad enough.”
The voice broke between four entangled lips. Hu Sha clung tightly to his neck, her whole person seeming about to collapse unable to bear it, caught by his arm around her waist, firmly encircled before him.
She felt she could barely breathe—not because of this intimate deep kiss, but because of that heart in her chest.
Her heart, not under her control, ached with waves of severe pain. She wanted to laugh, wanted to joyfully spend this day with him, as if pouring an entire lifetime’s passion into it.
But her heart refused.
She herself had no solution.
Moist lips left hers, gradually wandering, pressing against her earlobe, pecking again and again.
His voice was so soft, almost inaudible. Yet those three words struck like hammer blows on her soul, as if to embed deeply within.
Hu Sha suddenly embraced him, feeling he was about to disappear immediately. How could she keep him? Even reciting his name in her mouth a thousand times, ten thousand times, would be useless.
She had no way to keep her beloved. She could only watch helplessly as she accompanied him through the final day, watch helplessly as he faded away.
He was finally tired, slowly releasing her, yet his hand didn’t leave, still embracing her shoulder. The two lay on the cold bluestone, watching the sky full of sunset clouds.
“Hey, Hu Sha.” He closed his eyes, two clusters of eyelashes playfully trembling. “Sing me another song.”
Hu Sha nodded, gripping his ice-cold hand, beginning to sing softly, “Before West Fortress Mountain white egrets fly; peach blossoms and flowing water, the mandarin fish grow plump…”
She sang of peaceful farming family joys, sang of avoiding worldly concerns in the southern mountain’s shadow, leisurely picking chrysanthemums, then sang of bodies without colored phoenix’s twin-flying wings, hearts with rhinoceros horn’s single connecting thread.
Those were all very beautiful things.
Like clear wind brushing past his face, lifting him up, swaying and rocking—he could fly up without cloud-riding techniques. Green mountains, clear waters, peach blossom forest—all beneath his feet, incomparably carefree, incomparably free.
Hu Sha stroked his face again and again, both tender and helpless.
She said, “It will pass soon, very soon. Sleep for a while—go slowly to sleep.”
He held her hair in his hand, lovingly curling it, fingertips striving to feel that warmth.
Hu Sha, you must live on, must live for a long time. Because he might return to meet her on some similarly peaceful sunny afternoon, pinching her fingertips, sharing a smile with her.
“Sleep—it will be over soon.”
She kissed his face once. A tear fell on his cooling lips.
Hu Sha sat in Soul-Stealing Hall for three days without closing her eyes.
Not that she didn’t believe Fang Zhun had already passed as an immortal, leaving not a trace of breath. She simply couldn’t bear to leave, couldn’t bear to leave him alone here, covered by dust.
He was a person bright as the clear moon—how could black earth defile his body?
Or perhaps, deep in her heart she still harbored a thread of extravagant hope—hoping he’d slept enough, slept his fill, that whether after ten years or a hundred, he could wake up.
She could wait.
He truly looked just like sleeping—not a bit changed, as if the next moment he would open his eyes.
Her finger traced his beautiful features, as if afraid to disturb him—so gently, fingertips immediately retracting upon touching cold skin.
Now, she could finally truly embrace him.
Hu Sha curled up her knees, moving her sore eyes.
Footsteps suddenly came from outside the door. Immediately after, the great door was forcefully pushed open. Several figures stumbled rushing in. Seeing Fang Zhun on the bed, they were all greatly shocked.
“Junior Martial Brother!” Someone called out. Before finishing the words, the voice choked.
Hu Sha didn’t move, didn’t even look at them. She only held Fang Zhun’s hand, very carefully trimming his nails for him.
Ancestor Jinting’s face was white as snow, staring fixedly at Fang Zhun’s corpse. After a very long time, he finally said in a low voice, “Did he… depart in pain?”
She slowly shook her head.
His eyes reddened. “Is that so? Then good…”
Hu Sha said nothing, still silently and tenderly trimming his nails.
Someone slowly walked to the bedside, supporting the bed frame while trembling, slowly kneeling down. Hu Sha looked at him numbly, her dry cracked lips moving as if wanting to speak, but in the end said nothing.
It was Feng Di. His face was covered with a layer of black gauze concealing his eyes. Tears overflowed along the black gauze’s edges, his face soaking wet.
At this point, blaming others or blaming oneself had no meaning.
Hu Sha finished trimming Fang Zhun’s last nail, lovingly kissing his hand, saying in a low voice, “Fang Zhun, I’m leaving. Wait for me.”
Of course he wouldn’t answer.
Hu Sha bowed to Ancestor Jinting, saying softly, “Grand Master, please take Master’s body back to Qingyuan for proper care. Leaving it here truly doesn’t put minds at ease.”
Ancestor Jinting had just nodded when he saw her turn to leave. He couldn’t help but say in shock, “Where are you going?”
She didn’t speak, only shook her head.
Ancestor Jinting’s brows furrowed, saying sternly, “Don’t go seeking Qingling Zhenjun! You’re just an ordinary mortal—what can you do to him? You’ll only throw your life away for nothing! Don’t fail to live up to Fang Zhun’s wholehearted protection of you.”
Hu Sha still shook her head. Suddenly she flicked her sleeve. Her entire body was immediately enveloped by piercing cold energy. In the blink of an eye, she’d already landed outside the door.
“I’m merely delivering the divine artifacts to him!”
As her words fell, she’d already disappeared.
Now possessing three divine artifacts, though she hadn’t absorbed their Five Elements power, her abilities were completely different from usual. Ancestor Jinting, having fought with Qingling Zhenjun over the Carefree Grass matter, had also severely damaged his vital energy. Knowing he couldn’t catch up, he could only turn and order, “Fang Ning, follow her. Don’t let her do anything foolish!”
Fang Ning answered with red-rimmed eyes. Turning, he saw Feng Di still kneeling motionless by Fang Zhun’s bed. His heart filled with hatred—he truly wanted to strike him dead with one palm. However, he was an elder—how could he strike a junior? Immediately flicking his sleeve robe, he viciously knocked him to the ground before turning and leaving.
Feng Di’s eyes were already blind. This fall came without warning—his mouth corner struck the bed frame, immediately splitting open. He struggled to support himself using the bed frame to rise, wiping the blood. This made Fang Ling beside him feel somewhat unbearable. Raising his hand to help support him, he sighed, “Ai, you child…”
He bowed to Fang Ling, then turned and groped his way forward, kneeling before Ancestor Jinting, saying in a low voice, “Grand Master, this disciple committed grave errors. Ten thousand deaths cannot absolve this guilt. I beseech Grand Master to exile this disciple to Broken Fang Platform, to be sliced to death by ten thousand cuts in atonement.”
Ancestor Jinting’s expression was indifferent. After a long moment, he said lightly, “Even if you die, your master cannot come back to life. Why needlessly add another life? Do you think Qingyuan hasn’t had enough deaths recently?”
Feng Di’s lips moved, about to speak again when Ancestor Jinting shook his head, saying further, “You need not say more. From today, go into closed-door cultivation at Spirit Cliff Cave for one hundred years. If you step one foot outside the cave door, take your own life!”
Feng Di’s entire body trembled. Unable to suppress his sobbing, his forehead struck heavily on the ground, yet he felt no pain.
Ancestor Jinting lifted Fang Zhun’s corpse and floated out of the room. The disciples of the Fang generation followed behind him one after another. This founding Grand Master of Qingyuan usually doted most on his youngest closed-door disciple, pitying his frail health. No matter what he did, he would yield three points, truly treating him like his own child.
The world’s saddest thing is nothing more than white-haired people sending off black-haired ones. His usually steady footsteps actually felt somewhat unsteady, shoulders also faintly trembling.
Fang Ling walked over, saying in a low voice, “Master, let me carry Junior Martial Brother.”
Ancestor Jinting shook his head silently. After a very long time, he said again, “Feng Di, you must understand—people will always make mistakes. But not all mistakes can be resolved by dying in atonement. Living to redeem sins is even more difficult. Your life should be used to do useful things. Your eyes are blind—must your heart also continue being blind?”
Feng Di said nothing, only slowly standing up, following everyone together, riding clouds back to Qingyuan Mountain.
*Xuanzhou, Mount Xiaoyao, Carefree Hall*—these several words were repeatedly chewed in Hu Sha’s heart and on her tongue, chewed to pieces, emitting a bloody stench.
Even her forehead seemed filled with that bloody smell, suppressing all the buzzing chaotic noise.
Her mind became a blank slate, unable to feel pain. Her whole person seemed to have become a stubborn stone—not listening, not watching, not thinking.
Below Mount Xiaoyao, incense offerings were everywhere—shrines built voluntarily by local residents venerating the immortal.
Hu Sha suddenly felt irritated. The Water Glass Zither seemed to understand its master’s unspoken thoughts, humming within her body. Before long, the sky darkened. Large flakes of snow began dancing. Thick ice rapidly froze on the ground. Several people coming to make offerings cried wildly “The weather’s changing!” and fled rapidly.
Before long, that shrine was frozen into a solid lump—probably wouldn’t thaw even after ten thousand years.
She snorted coldly, turning to fly up the mountain.
Carefree Hall’s great door was tightly shut. Two giant stones lay horizontally there. Even if thousands of troops and horses came, breaking through immediately would be difficult.
The ground began rumbling and shaking. Hu Sha drew a dagger from her sleeve—entirely pitch-black with complex patterns.
It was the short blade Feng Yi left behind.
His entire being had turned to ash-gray and scattered—nothing remained. This blade was dug from the ruins by Shentu. Fang Zhun had always carried it with him. Now that he too was dead, she’d taken the blade, keeping it properly in her chest.
Hu Sha gripped the short blade tightly. With a “clang,” she drew it from its sheath.
*Smash this door*—a voice cried wildly in her heart. If Feng Yi were here, he’d surely think the same. Don’t let his scattering into ash become illusory. Don’t let his smiling death become frivolous. No one should have to die. Their deaths must not be like weak mayflies—soundless and traceless.
The ground seemed to cave into a pitch-black great hole, rotating, waiting.
Hu Sha relaxed her hand. That unsheathed short blade drilled inside. The ground seemed instantly split apart. Countless giant weapons burst from the earth, following the long stairway, extending and extending, finally viciously piercing into that Carefree Hall atop the mountain.
From the zenith fell countless equally giant weapons, densely packed like rainfall, smashing the already chaotic ground to smithereens again.
This road leading to the mountaintop was divided like countless fangs, incomparably ferocious.
Carefree Hall, Carefree Hall—today, carefree would be shattered.
The black hole instantly disappeared. That short blade returned to Hu Sha’s hand. She viciously hurled it out. Transforming into cold light, it whistled toward Carefree Hall.
Her entire being also soared into the air, passing through the densely packed forest of steel weapons, flying into Carefree Hall that had been pierced like a hedgehog.
Unexpectedly, Qingling Zhenjun hadn’t hidden beforehand or played any tricks.
He stood in the ravaged hall, brown robes spotless, snow-white horsetail whisk draped over one arm, eyes blazing as he gazed at the intruding Hu Sha.
“It seems the divine artifacts have all been brought,” he said.
Confident and righteous, matter-of-fact. Completely unconcerned about the devastated Carefree Hall, as if certain she couldn’t accomplish anything significant.
Hu Sha’s fury reached its extreme—she actually wanted to laugh instead.
She slowly drew the Fire Control Flute and Gold Lute from her chest, cradling them in her palms. Without speaking, she only stared fixedly at him.
“Why not bring them over?” Qingling Zhenjun’s eyes brightened. “Quickly! Hand them to this master. Everything you’ve done before, this master will no longer hold against you. I’ll immediately send you home to reunite with your family.”
Hu Sha still didn’t speak.
Flames roared from beneath her feet, mixed with sharp weapons bursting from the earth. Caught off guard, Qingling Zhenjun’s robes were nearly burned. His shoes were definitely slashed with a great gash, exposing smooth bare toes.
He showed a trace of anger, shouting sternly, “Rebellion! This master has repeatedly yielded, yet you dare be so bold!”
Before he finished speaking, Hu Sha’s Eighteen Oriole whistled forth from her sleeve, circling his body like lightning. In several swift strokes, they tore his brown robe to shreds. The bronze crown on his head also broke apart. Grizzled hair fell to the ground like snow.
He immediately chanted true words to summon heavenly thunder to strike her. Unfortunately, Eighteen Oriole entangled relentlessly. The slightest carelessness would result in being shattered to pieces.
Qingling Zhenjun was forced to retreat several steps backward. Supporting himself toward his waist as if searching for something, his expression suddenly changed again. Simply lowering both hands, he shouted loudly, “Wait! Stop! Let this master say a few words!”
Eighteen Oriole stopped abruptly two or three inches before him, no longer moving.
He took a breath, saying lightly, “I know your heart is aggrieved, thinking this master used you all for personal gain. So many people died—this master’s heart also aches unbearably. But this is Heaven’s decree. Even though this master is honored as Zhenjun, I must still obey. What of you mere mortals? This master achieved the Way over five hundred years ago. How could I not know that becoming a celestial deity requires enduring ninety-nine heavenly thunder tribulations? Stealing the Five Elements power to become a deity was always a crooked path. This master never had such plans.”
He paused, seeing Hu Sha hadn’t moved, then continued, “Over a hundred years ago, Celestial Deity Imperial Daughter visited this master’s dreams, speaking of Heavenly Court’s Yaojia Celestial Maiden who played music for the Heavenly Emperor. She mentioned the lost set of five divine artifacts, feeling quite regretful. Therefore, the Heavenly Emperor commanded her to find them from the mortal realm within three months. Because Imperial Daughter had numerous duties and couldn’t personally descend to the mortal realm to search, seeing this master’s diligent cultivation, she intended to support me, assigning this task of searching for divine artifacts to this master to handle. She specifically instructed—don’t make a great clamor to avoid alarming the world.”
“However, this master, being a Zhenjun enjoying regional offerings, has every move watched by others. How could I secretly search for divine artifacts without others noticing? To properly accomplish this task, relying on this master alone naturally wasn’t enough. I also couldn’t alarm people from the Ten Islands Within the Seas… “
Before finishing, Hu Sha coldly interrupted, “So you brought mortals from overseas, making them believe they were sinners, so that to atone, they’d help you find divine artifacts? By what right must we help you find divine artifacts? By what right do you summon and dismiss us at will? To keep mouths shut, you didn’t hesitate to threaten with hell. To claim credit for yourself, you didn’t hesitate to use Soul Separation curses. You clearly knew the Water Glass Zither’s nature was special, that it would attack everyone approaching, yet you didn’t care—letting others go die. Taking credit for such achievements—aren’t you afraid of future retribution?”
Qingling Zhenjun said seriously, “There’s always been distinction between immortal and mortal. Moreover, now that you’ve delivered the divine artifacts, this master promised to grant you merit—not mistreating you all. Those who died—when this master becomes a deity someday, naturally there’ll be blessings bestowed. You challenge Heaven, placing yourself above it—isn’t that great rebellion? Taking ten thousand steps back—even if this master’s actions were truly wrong, they’re only small wrongs, wrongs in your eyes. In Heaven’s eyes, not necessarily wrong. Otherwise, this master would instantly receive punishment—why hasn’t heavenly punishment come? The Earth Embankment Drum and Wood Brilliance Bell—this master already delivered them to Celestial Deity Imperial Daughter. She only praised, without the slightest blame. If this master were truly as beastly as you describe, how could she not mention it at all?”
Hu Sha stepped forward, staring fixedly at him. “Can blessings exchange for human lives? That’s right—in your eyes, in your so-called Heaven’s eyes, we’re fundamentally ants! You want us to die, we must die. Otherwise we must live wretchedly surviving! You think in your heart I too should be like you, trembling with fear as I kneel, confessing sins to Heaven, accepting so-called blessings and divine might. You’re wrong. That’s your god, not mine!”
Seeing her expression strange, and having already delivered the divine artifacts to Celestial Deity Imperial Daughter with no other objects able to withstand three divine artifacts’ power—one more strike might truly end his old life—Qingling Zhenjun could only soften his voice, saying, “Your heart harbors resentment, speaking disrespectfully—this master won’t blame you either. But the divine artifacts are originally Heaven’s objects. You should have heard the four words ‘return property to its owner.’ First hand over the divine artifacts. Who’s right, who’s wrong, grudges and errors—we can all reason it out at the celestial deities’ place later.”
Hu Sha slowly nodded, saying in a low voice, “Correct. I came today precisely to return the divine artifacts. Catch them well!”
As her words fell, countless giant weapons again burst from the earth. Qingling Zhenjun had nowhere to dodge. His instep was brutally pierced through, blood flowing everywhere. He screamed in agony.
Suddenly he heard her say coldly again, “Two arms!”
Eighteen Oriole whistled cheerfully, suddenly tightening. Qingling Zhenjun only felt coolness on his shoulders. With a “thud,” both arms were brutally removed, falling bloodily to the ground. He screamed once more, turning to run. Behind him she said grimly, “Two legs!”
Again coolness below his knees. His entire body couldn’t stand steady, falling heavily to the ground. Below his knees cleanly severed, blood flowing like rivers. Before he could cry out, several sharp blades drilled from the earth bottom, piercing through his ribs, protruding from his back. The barbed tips brutally pinned him to the ground.
The once infinitely glorious Qingling Zhenjun—now with four limbs severed, pinned to the ground, had become a person of blood. His condition was extremely tragic.
His face was deathly pale with pain. If not for immortal power protecting his body, he’d have long since died on the spot. Seeing Hu Sha about to summon karmic fire to burn him, he could only say tremulously, “Life and death have their destiny; wealth and honor rest with Heaven. Those people destined to die—Heaven already predetermined their fates. Those who died unjustly and became demons also have their own reasons. Why must you misdirect anger at this master? Moreover, life and death are merely passing clouds. A mortal lifetime is only a hundred years. After reincarnation, no one recognizes anyone. Why must you be so obsessed!”
Hu Sha shook her head, only feeling extreme sourness in her heart.
Master once said—in this life, one must always encounter some irresistible pressures. One must learn to lower one’s head, living compliantly.
Her person could comply, burying her head in sand, learning from Qingling Zhenjun, viewing human lives like grass and weeds like him, forgetting everything from before for the sake of enlightenment and merit.
Those—merely passing clouds.
But they didn’t understand. Actually none understood. The world has no passing clouds—those are detached observers’ carefree words. She’d smiled so deeply, been so happy, shed tears, suffered pain. She’d witnessed person after person’s departure, silently sending them away.
These wouldn’t be passing clouds.
Her heart couldn’t let go of the past, couldn’t forget what was.
Feng Yi said she lived like a disgrace. But she couldn’t die an even more disgraceful death.
Moony died. Feng Yi died. Fang Zhun also died.
Walking this road onward, she might also die.
But even if it was a dead-end road, she must still walk it. Keep walking until seeing the end.
The Water Glass Zither fell into her palm—heavy, ice-cold and piercing.
Hu Sha lightly brushed the zither surface. Her fingers curled. From the five strings burst a simple sorrowful melody.
Heaven and earth spun. Carefree Hall was enclosed in thick ice layers—just the blink of an eye.
Ice layers bit by bit devoured Qingling Zhenjun’s body. He screamed in terror, shouting sternly, “Withdraw! Quickly withdraw… Fine! This master agrees! I’ll revive all the dead! The boy who became a demon? Fang Zhun? Who do you want revived? No problem! Quickly withdraw this ice!”
Hu Sha’s wrist trembled. The Water Glass Zither nearly fell to the ground. She stared blankly at him, saying in a low voice, “How will you revive them?”
At that moment, ice layers had already wrapped his lower body, extending toward his chest. Qingling Zhenjun said miserably, “This master will immediately petition Celestial Deity Imperial Daughter! As long as the divine artifacts are returned, she’ll certainly agree!”
Hu Sha said lightly, “Good. Go petition her now. Petition your celestial deity—let her first come save you! Also let me see what your god looks like!”
Bone-piercing cold had already eroded to his chest. His lower body had long lost all feeling. Yet at this point he couldn’t care about anything else, screaming shrilly.
In the empty Carefree Hall, only his miserable voice echoed again and again in the ruins, repeatedly calling the celestial deities’ names, begging their favor.
Behind him, several stone pillars unable to bear the fracturing force collapsed thunderously, crashing into the hall’s lotus pond. The water in the pond had already turned to ice blocks, shattering apart, then burned completely clean by the Fire Control Flute’s fire.
In the roaring flames, a divine image painted on the pond bottom was faintly visible—a gorgeously dressed woman sitting on a lotus platform, eyes lowered in meditation, expression peaceful, appearance beautiful and alluring.
She’d seen this celestial deity’s portrait at Qingyuan Mountain’s Sinking Star Tower.
Celestial Deity Imperial Daughter, symbolizing compassion and mercy.
Hu Sha laughed once, turning to ask him, “This is your god? She seems to have no intention of responding to you.”
Qingling Zhenjun had shouted his throat hoarse, his heart already completely despairing.
Hu Sha again held up the Water Glass Zither, fingers lightly plucking, saying in a low voice, “Now, it’s time to do something for the dead.”
Thick ice layers instantly froze him solid. Fresh blood from his severed arms and legs dyed the innermost layer red. He twitched slightly twice, then could no longer move.
He’d committed countless inconceivable evil deeds, wantonly toying with their fates.
But just because he wore Heaven’s banner, was collecting divine artifacts for celestial deities, Heaven wouldn’t punish him—would only grant him merit, letting him rise smoothly.
Now he was frozen in thousand-year ice, dying extremely tragically, forever frozen like this.
Heaven still didn’t ask, didn’t manage, didn’t care, didn’t know.
Heaven was unjust.
Hu Sha suddenly stood, forcefully smashing the three divine artifacts on the ground, smashing viciously as if using every ounce of strength in her body.
Not knowing how many times she smashed, finally smashing them to pieces.
The instant the Water Glass Zither shattered, it seemed to cry out mournfully, immediately splitting into two or three sections.
Now, no one would ever feed it with blood and flesh again. No one would ever be killed by its cold light.
Let these divine artifacts quietly become fragments, buried here.
Hu Sha exhaled a long breath, turning to leave.
Thunder clouds seemed to gather at the zenith. In an instant it darkened, as if about to press down on her head.
That’s right. This time she’d truly committed heaven-defying audacity, destroying three divine artifacts. Heavenly punishment came truly quickly.
She rose on clouds flying from Carefree Hall, landing on a platform before the steps, settling her robes to sit, quietly waiting for heavenly thunder to strike, heavenly fire to burn.
Overhead, rumbling grew louder. With a “crack,” several bolts of heavenly thunder struck around her, as if warning her.
Hu Sha stared fixedly toward Qingyuan’s direction. Across vast seas, myriads of miles distant—how could she see the greenery atop Qingyuan Mountain? Yet she clearly saw the bright smoky apricot blossoms before Zhiyan Studio.
The flowers had all bloomed beautifully. When would Fang Zhun awaken?
Flowers would wither, but would bloom again.
But once people left, they’d never return.
Scalding liquid slowly fell down her face.
A massive heavenly thunder bolt struck directly on her head. Her whole body shook. She only felt brilliant light blazing before her eyes, as if countless rainbow colors streamed past, gorgeous and magnificent, beyond description.
Slowly, the seven-colored rainbow light began fading. In her ear she heard a long-missed sound of striking a bronze jar—a crisp “ding.”
Hu Sha suddenly came to her senses, looking about in confusion. She saw a snow-white incense hall with a spirit altar, the Three Pure Ones enshrined above. In the incense burner, light smoke coiled, soundlessly floating upward.
Incomparably familiar, yet incomparably strange—this room.
She only felt her whole body trembling uncontrollably. Slowly she walked to the window, gently pushing open the carved wooden window. With a creak, a group of people in the courtyard all looked over in shock.
Then, Father and Mother whom she hadn’t seen in five years cried out and rushed wildly over, embracing her in one motion, holding her tightly.
She’d returned to her original world.
*Silver candles’ autumn light chills the painted screen; light silk small fans flutter at fireflies.*
Now it was already September-October scenery. Red leaves danced in the courtyard, falling like rain. Hu Sha often leaned on her family’s railing, quietly watching those fire-red leaf petals. Yet before her eyes always appeared Zhiyan Studio’s bright apricot blossoms.
From now on, she’d never see them again.
She still remembered when she first returned—night after night unable to sleep, pacing in the incense hall, sitting for entire nights.
Wanting to return, yet afraid to return.
Until today, she still hadn’t figured out how she’d returned. She’d smashed three divine artifacts. Heavenly thunder fell. She should have been struck to ash-gray like Feng Yi. Who could have imagined she’d actually be sent home?
*From where you came, to where you return.*
This feeling—like having already embraced death’s determination, done heaven-defying things, yet in the end surviving by luck, leaving only bewilderment and powerlessness.
This wasn’t the outcome she wanted. Yet she didn’t know what outcome she truly wanted either.
She’d returned home empty-handed. Even Moony’s ashes and belongings weren’t brought over. She could only take advantage of some deep quiet night, secretly riding clouds to Yuzhou, praying silently toward the myriad household lights below, hoping his spirit could return, not drifting outside.
Familiar and intimate footsteps sounded behind her. Immediately after, a warm little cape was draped over her shoulders. Mother’s gentle voice sounded overhead. “It’s getting cold—why are you still wearing so little? What if you get sick?”
Hu Sha smiled and nodded. She didn’t tell her parents—she’d cultivated for five years, no longer needed to eat, feared neither cold nor heat, could summon clouds and mist, traveling a thousand miles daily was easy.
The skills she’d once constantly talked about wanting to show her parents—now she didn’t even want to mention them.
Mother swept aside the hair strands on her cheek, looking her over with distress. In the end, her gaze still held some doubt. After a moment, she asked, “Hu Sha, where did you go these past few months? Your father and I frantically went to the yamen daily—we nearly turned all of Jiaxing upside down. How did you suddenly appear in the incense hall? Those clothes… your appearance…”
She’d spent five years in the Ten Islands Within the Seas. Naturally her appearance and figure greatly differed from when she left home at fifteen.
But with a thousand calculations, ten thousand calculations, how could she have imagined—the five years in the Ten Islands Within the Seas were merely four or five months in her original world? She’d grown to adulthood, experienced countless hardships—just the time from spring to autumn.
But she didn’t want to speak. Only saying in a low voice, “Mother, I’ll definitely tell you both later. Right now don’t ask me, alright?”
Mother nodded, joyfully embracing her, saying gently, “When you want to say it, say it then. Father and Mother won’t force you. Nothing compares to you being able to come home! Being able to return is wonderful!”
Wind rose—a bit cool. Though Hu Sha herself feared neither cold nor heat, Father and Mother couldn’t withstand it.
She supported Mother inside. Mother and daughter spoke for quite a while of intimate reunion talk. Mother suddenly seemed to think of something, pulling her hand and saying softly, “Right, about that marriage match of yours…”
Hu Sha’s heart instinctively tensed. Opening her mouth wanting to refuse, she heard Mother continue, “Father and Mother only learned a few days ago why that Young Master Yuan, though so handsome with such good family background, was willing to form marriage ties with small households like ours. Turns out their young master was born an imbecile. Over twenty years now—can’t even get out of bed, completely a waste. Families who know his household’s situation all refuse marriage ties with them. Only your father was foolish, getting trapped by them. If not for Neighbor Zhang telling me this matter a few days ago, wouldn’t we have been cheated, pushing our good daughter into a fire pit? Your father’s been busy these days discussing breaking the engagement with them. Later we’ll arrange another good husband for you, letting you marry gloriously.”
Hu Sha couldn’t help feeling between laughter and tears.
That peerless beauty on paper—how many times had she been unable to forget him? When drunk she’d take him out to show off before Fang Zhun, often using him to remind herself to mind wifely virtue, wifely virtue. Who knew the final result would be like this?
Worldly affairs change unpredictably—truly leaving one speechless.
Several days later, Father and Mother no longer mentioned the Yuan family engagement—probably handled properly.
Hu Sha’s heart settled down slightly. Daily she just hid in her room reading, playing the zither. Occasionally waking from midnight dreams, opening her eyes to gaze at the pitch-black room interior, she still felt she was lying in Zhiyan Studio’s tiled house, outside the window apricot blossoms profuse as snow.
She missed that man who smiled like spring wind—every night, every night, missing him to her very bones. Her heart felt like a hole had been dug out, unable to heal no matter what.
But he would never return. She could never again touch his face, his fingers. Without her beside him, lying alone in Zhiyan Studio—would he be lonely and alone? Hopefully Little Darling would properly accompany him, not letting him be lonely and solitary.
Fortunately, in her purse still remained a coil of his long hair. She often took it out to caress, pressing it to her heart, as if he were still beside her.
He wasn’t fake, wasn’t an illusion. He’d truly existed.
Calm waveless days continued for two months. Jiaxing had winter’s first snow.
That morning, Hu Sha was as usual reading in her room. The brazier heated the room warmly. She felt somewhat drowsy.
Outside the window suddenly came Father and Mother’s arguing voices. Hu Sha’s hearing now greatly differed from before. Though they extremely suppressed their voices, she still heard everything crystal clear.
Mother blamed Father. “It’s all you! At your age, still getting trapped! Why didn’t you ask clearly about their household situation before engagement? Caused a whole pile of trouble! Didn’t you say last time the match was already broken? If truly broken, how did they come to the door again? This matter’s blown up big—where does our daughter’s face go? Will she serve that waste for the rest of her life?”
Her father felt very wronged. “Fine, fine—it’s all my fault! Alright? You’ve nagged these several months—should be enough. Now think of some method to push it away. What use is constantly blaming me?”
“You go push it away! The Yuan family brought all big groups of men. How proper for us women to come forward?”
The two argued for ages without arguing out a result. Finally Mother angrily flicked her hand, turned and left, no longer managing this matter.
Hu Sha gently pushed open the window. Her father was squatting in the corridor shaking his head and sighing. Seeing her, he smiled slightly, saying in a low voice, “Easy to invite gods, hard to send them away. You must be angry at Father for arranging such a rotten match for you?”
Hu Sha shook her head. “…I don’t blame Father. How about I go speak with them, break off this engagement?”
Her father repeatedly waved his hands, sighing. From his chest he drew out a tobacco pipe, lit it, inhaled deeply. Thick white mist instantly shrouded his face.
Squatting beneath the window, he suddenly said softly, “Hu Sha, you don’t want to marry, do you?”
Her whole body shook. She said nothing.
He continued, “Though you don’t speak, these months many things must have happened. Moreover your appearance and temperament also changed greatly… I think there must have been some dramatic change. You… already have someone in your heart? What kind of person?”
Hu Sha lowered her head, both hands trembling violently. She forced a smile. “There’s no one… Father, you’re thinking… too much.”
Her father exhaled smoke, saying in a low voice, “Silly child, Father’s been through this. Whatever’s on your mind—how could Father and Mother not see? Did that person wrong you? It doesn’t matter—don’t be afraid of anything. If you don’t want to marry, stay with Father and Mother for a lifetime. Our family of three, happy together—better than anything.”
She couldn’t help tears welling in her eyes. After a long moment, she said tremulously, “No… he… didn’t wrong me… it’s just he’s already… no longer in this world… I…”
She quickly turned around, using her sleeve to absorb the torrential tears on her face, not letting herself make the slightest choking sound.
He died. Even staying in the Ten Islands Within the Seas would be meaningless. Yet she’d still rather be able to see his corpse daily, rather than returning alone and lonely, sighing night after night.
Home had everything—had Father and Mother, had warmth—but didn’t have that person. What’s called separation in life and death, what’s called loneliness—she finally understood now.
Her father stood up, patting her shoulder, saying warmly, “Alright, don’t think about unhappy things. Still remember what Father taught you before? Human life in this world is merely several short decades. Living carefree and happy, with a clear conscience—that’s the proper way. I see though you’re sad and grieving, you’ve always relied on your own will to get through. That’s enough.”
He knocked the tobacco pipe against the ground, conveniently tucking it back in his chest, saying, “Father will go see the Yuan family people. This time I’ll definitely refuse completely. Don’t worry.”
Hu Sha gently pulled his sleeve, saying softly, “Father, how about I go with you? I’m… not very at ease.”
She’d heard the Yuan family had considerable influence in Jiaxing. Her father was just a small Fire-Dwelling Daoist—having nothing whatsoever. If bullied by others, that would be unworthy. Their family’s only son was an imbecile. Having finally arranged a marriage match, of course they wouldn’t willingly break it. If pressed too hard, with her going along would be better than her father facing them alone. Having spent five years in the Ten Islands Within the Seas, self-protection abilities had been learned.
Her father smiled. “What silly talk is this? How proper for a young lady to show herself publicly? Just wait obediently.”
He rapidly left. Hu Sha ultimately felt uneasy, quietly following behind him. Feet not touching ground, she floated past the garden full of white snow. Distantly, at the great gate she saw a group of household servants surrounding a white-robed man in the middle. Judging by his build, tall and slender with a head of jet-black hair hanging over shoulders.
Gatekeeper Uncle Wu hurried over, saying urgently, “My young miss, quickly go back! The Yuan family’s young master came! Brought many people—a whole group of stinking men. Don’t let them hurt you!”
Hu Sha stared at that lean back, feeling slightly puzzled, saying softly, “Uncle Wu, that person… is the Yuan family’s young master? Wasn’t it said he’s an imbecile?”
Uncle Wu shook his head. “I don’t know either! But those people all call him ‘Young Master.’ They say he just woke a few days ago. Hearing he had an engagement, that the in-laws kept wanting to break the marriage, so he personally came to propose or something… Who knows what tricks the Yuan family’s playing? Miss should go back first! Don’t let others see…”
Hu Sha nodded, hesitating, just about to turn and leave when she suddenly saw that white-robed man turn around. Gemstone-like eyes immediately seized hers.
She felt as if something viciously struck her chest. All her body’s blood instantly froze. She couldn’t move at all.
At that moment, snow fell heavier—tearing cotton, pulling wadding. His beautiful features were indistinct—not knowing if covered by snow or covered by the tears swirling in her eyes.
That person watched her for a very long time. Finally he smiled slightly—like spring wind brushing past her face. He said gently, “Hu Sha, I found you.”
She inhaled sharply, only feeling both hands grasped by him. His hands were warm and powerful, like cradling two orchid blossoms—gentle yet refusing rejection as he held her hands.
What surrounding people said, did—she couldn’t hear anything, see anything.
He spread both her palms open, looking for a moment before smiling. “It appears my future wife has the appearance of longevity—a life of peace and joy, unaware of the passing years.”
Hu Sha’s eyelashes suddenly trembled. Two tears rolled down.
Father was urgently saying something behind. The household servants he’d brought also clamored noisily—not quiet for a moment.
Yet she opened both arms, throwing herself into his embrace.